Prof. Chris Impey | Education | Best Researcher Award
Pro.Chris Impey Education at University of Arizona, United States
Chris Impey is a distinguished astronomer and educator, holding dual citizenship in the United States and the United Kingdom. He earned a B.Sc. in Physics with First Class Honors from the University of London and a Ph.D. in Astronomy from the University of Edinburgh, where his research focused on polarization studies of BL Lac objects. His academic career includes appointments at prestigious institutions such as CERN, the University of Hawaii, Caltech, and the University of Arizona, where he has served as a professor and held numerous leadership roles including Deputy Department Head and Associate Dean of the College of Science. Impey is a University Distinguished Professor and has received numerous accolades for his teaching and science communication, including the NSF Distinguished Teaching Scholar Award and the American Astronomical Society Education Prize. He is an accomplished author, a dedicated science communicator, and an active participant in various scientific organizations and advisory boards. His entrepreneurial ventures include founding companies and nonprofits that bridge science, technology, and public engagement.
Professional Profile:
Suitability for the Research for Best Researcher Award: Chris Impey
Chris Impey is an internationally renowned astronomer whose research has significantly advanced our understanding of cosmology, extragalactic astronomy, and the structure of the universe. With a Ph.D. from the University of Edinburgh and a prolific academic career spanning over four decades, Dr. Impey has held distinguished positions at premier institutions including the University of Arizona and Princeton University. His work is widely cited and respected, reflecting both depth and breadth across multiple astronomical domains.
๐ Education
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B.Sc. in Physics โ University of London, 1977 (First Class Honors) ๐ง ๐
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Ph.D. in Astronomy โ University of Edinburgh, 1981 ๐ช๐ญ
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Thesis: Polarization Studies of BL Lac Objects
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Advisors: R.D. Wolstencroft & P.W.J.L. Brand
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Languages: Spanish
(strong), Italian
& French
(fair)
๐ผ Work Experience / Appointments
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๐งช Research Assistant โ CERN, Geneva (1977)
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๐ Research Assistant โ Univ. of Edinburgh & Royal Observatory (1977โ1981)
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๐ด Research Associate โ Univ. of Hawaii (1981โ1983)
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๐ Weingart Fellow โ Caltech (1983โ1986)
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๐จโ๐ซ Assistant Professor โ Univ. of Arizona (1986โ1991)
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๐ Associate Professor โ Univ. of Arizona (1991โ1996)
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๐ Associate Director โ NASA Space Grant, Univ. of Arizona (1991โ1995)
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๐ฐ๏ธ Visiting Professor โ Univ. of Washington (1995โ1996)
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๐ Professor โ Univ. of Arizona (1996โ2000)
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๐งญ Deputy Dept. Head โ Univ. of Arizona (1999โ2016, 2024โ2025)
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๐ University Distinguished Professor โ Since 2000
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๐ Honors Professor โ Univ. of Arizona (Since 2010)
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๐งโ๐ซ Visiting Professor โ Princeton University (2011โ2012)
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๐ฌ STEM Co-Director โ Univ. of Arizona (2013โ2016)
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๐๏ธ Associate Dean โ College of Science, Univ. of Arizona (2016โ2020)
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๐ Visiting Scholar โ Imperial College London (2019)
๐ Awards & Honors
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๐ฅ NATO/SERC Fellowship (1981โ1983)
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๐ฅ Weingart Fellowship (1983โ1985)
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๐ Dudley Observatory Award (1990)
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๐ Slipher Award โ NAS (1998)
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๐ NSF Distinguished Teaching Scholar (2002)
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๐จโ๐ซ Arizona Professor of the Year โ Carnegie Foundation (2002)
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๐ Vice President โ American Astronomical Society (2003โ2006)
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๐งโ๐ฌ Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholar (2006โ2007)
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๐ธ Emmons Award โ College Astronomy Teaching (2007)
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๐งฌ AAAS Fellow (2009)
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๐ซ Stanley Kelley Visiting Professor โ Princeton (2011โ2012)
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๐ช AAO Distinguished Visitor (2014)
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๐ Eugene Emme Literature Award โ AAS (2014)
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๐งช HHMI Professor (2014โ2019)
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๐ค Gresham College Lecturer, London (2016)
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๐ Klumpke-Roberts Award โ Public Astronomy Outreach (2016)
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โญ AAS Legacy Fellow (2019)
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๐ AAS Education Prize (2021)
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๐๏ธ Bellagio Center Residency โ Rockefeller Foundation (2022)
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๐ Fulbright Specialist โ U.S. State Dept (2022โ2026)
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๐ฅ Science Communication Award โ Olomouc Film Festival (2023)
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โ๏ธ 1st Prize, Astrobiology SciComm Writing Contest (2024)
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๐งโ๐ Visionary Scientists Award โ Cosmologists Without Borders (2024)
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๐ Finalist, Cosmos Prize โ International Book Award (2025)
Publication Top Notes:
Detailed Structural Decomposition of GalaxyImages Cited: 3368
The cosmic evolution survey (COSMOS): overview Cited: 2547
Detailed decomposition of galaxy images. II. Beyond axisymmetric models Cited: 2092
zCOSMOS: a large VLT/VIMOS redshift survey covering 0< z< 3 in the COSMOS field Cited: 1306
The first release COSMOS optical and near-IR data and catalog Cited: 1082
Conclusion:
Chris Impey exemplifies the qualities sought for the Best Researcher Award. His pioneering contributions to astrophysics, outstanding educational leadership, and exceptional commitment to public science literacy mark him as a global leader in his field. Recognizing Dr. Impey with this award would honor not only his distinguished career but also his transformative influence on both the scientific community and society at large.